Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Fool: A Personal Example

My family's insurance agent was Don. I was in my teens, and Don was in his mid-30s. He liked me, I liked him, and we occasionally played golf together. I remember returning from a round of golf with Don when he said, "We just got a new pet cat."

I like cats. I loved our family cat. I began to tell Don about him. "Don, I found our cat on the street and showed him to my mom - she is a radical cat-lover and could not resist. What was cool was this cat turned out to be a Maine Coon Cat. It's huge - over 20 pounds! And we gave it the coolest name - 'El Gato' - which is Spanish for 'The Cat.'" I thought that was the sweetest name. I knew Don would be impressed. I told Don, "I'm glad we didn't name him something stupid like 'Mittens.'" Then I asked him a question: "What did you name your cat, Don?" Don said, "Mittens."

Don never called me to play golf again.

Proverbs 15:2 - "The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."

Proverbs 15:14 - "The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly."

Proverbs 17:28 - "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues."

Proverbs 14:3 says, "A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them."

Proverbs 26:7 - "Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool."

Proverbs 30:32 -  “If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth!"